Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Perplex \Per*plex"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Perplexed}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Perplexing}.] [L. perplexari. See {Perplex}, a.]
   1. To involve; to entangle; to make intricate or complicated,
      and difficult to be unraveled or understood; as, to
      perplex one with doubts.

            No artful wildness to perplex the scene. --Pope.

            What was thought obscure, perplexed, and too hard
            for our weak parts, will lie open to the
            understanding in a fair view.         --Locke.

   2. To embarrass; to puzzle; to distract; to bewilder; to
      confuse; to trouble with ambiguity, suspense, or anxiety.
      ``Perplexd beyond self-explication.'' --Shak.

            We are perplexed, but not in despair. --2 Cor. iv.
                                                  8.

            We can distinguish no general truths, or at least
            shall be apt to perplex the mind.     --Locke.

   3. To plague; to vex; to tormen. --Glanvill.

   Syn: To entangle; involve; complicate; embarrass; puzzle;
        bewilder; confuse; distract. See {Embarrass}.

Perplexing \Per*plex"ing\, a.
   Embarrassing; puzzling; troublesome. ``Perplexing thoughts.''
   --Milton.

Source : WordNet®

perplexing
     adj : lacking clarity of meaning; causing confusion or perplexity;
           "sent confusing signals to Iraq"; "perplexing to
           someone who knew nothing about it"; "a puzzling
           statement" [syn: {confusing}, {puzzling}]